Discover your voice: In the classroom

TA Program

In keeping with a guiding assumption that "learning and teaching are complementary, and often simultaneous, activities that should lead to and inform each other," Waring school students are encouraged, both formally and informally, to become teachers as well as learners.

Juniors and seniors may formally petition to become Teaching Assistants in any of our curricular areas: humanities, French, math, science, music, theater, art, health, and sports. In most cases, TAs assist their supervising teachers in a variety of ways, including helping students individually and in small groups. At times, however, TAs may substitute for classes; a sports TA may help to coach one of the younger teams.

In the Writing Program, the situation is unique: TAs, in teams of two, teach their own CORE and Group 1 (grades 6, 7 & 8) writing sections, under the direction and ongoing guidance of an experienced Writing teacher. This is a great privilege and of course a great responsibility: there are always more requests to become writing TA than there are positions.

Whatever the specific duties of the TA, there are guidelines that apply to all: 1) they must be in good standing academically throughout their academic program; 2) they must have demonstrated competence in the specific subject that they will teach or assist; 3) they must be willing to promote the values, standards, and mission of Waring not only in their relations with other students in school, but also in their relations outside of school; in other words, they are role models both in and out of school; 4) they must have the emotional maturity necessary to work with other students.

TAs play a critical role in the life of the school. For as well as the clear, practical benefits they provide to teachers and students, TAs are essential "culture-bearers" that is, they help to pass on the Waring culture to our younger students. Working as a TA is frequently a much-valued highlight of a student’s final years at Waring.